Overshoe for high-heeled footwear

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for various embodiments of overshoes. Specifically, in one embodiment, an overshoe for high-heeled footwear is provided. The overshoe includes an upper compartment, a forefoot region, a heel region, a flexible and durable outsole, and a zipper. The upper compartment can be configured for receiving high-heeled footwear and can be made from a stretchable water-resistant material. The forefoot region can be configured for receiving the forefoot of the high-heeled footwear and the heel region is configured for receiving the high-heel of the high-heeled footwear. The heel region can include an integrated support structure therein. The flexible and durable outsole can include a first outsole connected to the forefoot region and a second outsole connected to the heel region and the zipper can be disposed within the upper compartment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear and in particular tohigh-heeled overshoes.

BACKGROUND

Overshoes are a necessity for many people desiring to protect theirfootwear from the elements. Unfortunately, conventional overshoes can bedifficult to use effectively with high-heeled footwear. Not only doconventional overshoes rob the user of the style of their heeledhigh-heeled footwear, when high-heeled shoes are used with conventionalovershoes the wearer can encounter difficulty walking or with traction.Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a stylish overshoeconfigured for safe and effective use with high-heeled footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for various embodiments of overshoes.Specifically, in one embodiment, an overshoe for high-heeled footwear isprovided. The overshoe includes an upper compartment, a forefoot region,a heel region, a flexible and durable outsole, and a zipper. The uppercompartment can be configured for receiving high-heeled footwear and canbe made from a stretchable water-resistant material. The forefoot regionis configured for receiving the forefoot of the high-heeled footwear andthe heel region is configured for receiving the high-heel of thehigh-heeled footwear. The heel region includes an integrated supportstructure therein. The flexible and durable outsole includes a firstoutsole connected to the forefoot region and a second outsole connectedto the heel region and the zipper can be disposed within the uppercompartment.

In yet another embodiment, an overshoe for high-heeled footwear isprovided that includes an upper compartment, a first outsole, a secondoutsole, and a zipper. The upper compartment can include a leg shaftopening configured to receive a leg of a subject; a forefoot regionhaving a toe, a bottom, a top and an arch; and a heel region disposedopposite the leg shaft opening. The heel region can have a bottom and acylindrical shaft with a semi-rigid support structure in the heeledregion. The first outsole can be connected to the bottom of the forefootregion and the second outsole can be connected to the bottom of the heelregion. The zipper can be located in the upper compartment and can runfrom the heel region to the top of the leg-shaft opening.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention so that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and so that the present contributionto the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the presentinvention will become clearer from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or maybe learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an overshoe in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a the overshoe of shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of a heel-region of an overshoe of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective image of a pointed-toe overshoe of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the opposite side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a back view image of the overshoe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front view image of the overshoe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top view image of the overshoe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 4

FIG. 11 is a side view of an overshoe in accordance with the anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the overshoe shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective image of another embodiment of a pointed-toeovershoe of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is the opposite side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a back view image of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a front view image of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a top view image of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a side view of an overshoe in accordance with the stillanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the overshoe shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective image of another embodiment of a pointed-toeovershoe of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is the opposite side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a back view image of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a front view image of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a top view image of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 is a side view of an overshoe in accordance with the stillanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the overshoe shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a side view image of an another embodiment of a flat-heeledovershoe of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is the opposite side view image of the overshoe of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a back view image of the overshoe of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a front view image of the overshoe of FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a top view image of the overshoe of FIG. 31;

FIG. 36 is a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 31;

FIG. 37 shows a side view-cutaway of an embodiment of the presentinvention similar to the embodiment of FIG. 20.

FIG. 38 shows an exploded cut-away view of the heel region of theembodiment shown in FIG. 37.

The use of phantom or broken lines is for illustrative purposes andelements represented thereby are not intended as required elements ofthe claimed inventions. Reference will now be made to the exemplaryembodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should beunderstood that other embodiments may be realized and that variouschanges to the invention may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detaileddescription of the embodiments of the present invention is not intendedto limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe thefeatures and characteristics of the present invention, to set forth thebest mode of operation of the invention, and to sufficiently enable oneskilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope ofthe present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

DEFINITIONS

In describing and claiming the present invention, the followingterminology will be used.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a carrier” includes reference to one or more of such compounds.

As used herein the term “high-heeled” refers to a piece of footwear thatraises the heel of the wearer's heel at least one (1) inch higher thantheir toes. High-heeled footwear can include stiletto heels, cone heels,kitten heels, prism heels, spool heels, wedge heels, and puppy heels.

As used herein, the term “water-resistant” when used to describe acomponent or element of the invention refers to the ability to minimizeor eliminate the permeation of water into or through the element. Theterm “waterproof” is included within the scope of the term“water-resistant” and refers to an item that eliminates the permeationof water into or through the element. Thus, a component or element thatis waterproof can also be described as being water-resistant, but notnecessary vice versa.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary.

Numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to beunderstood that such range format is used merely for convenience andbrevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only thenumerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but alsoto include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassedwithin that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitlyrecited. For example, a numerical range of about 1 to about 4.5 shouldbe interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of 1 toabout 4.5, but also to include individual numerals such as 2, 3, 4, andsub-ranges such as 1 to 3, 2 to 4, etc. The same principle applies toranges reciting only one numerical value, such as “less than about 4.5,”which should be interpreted to include all of the above-recited valuesand ranges. Further, such an interpretation should apply regardless ofthe breadth of the range or the characteristic being described.

With the above definitions in mind, the present invention is drawn to anovershoe for high-heeled footwear. The overshoe includes an uppercompartment, a forefoot region, a heel region, a flexible and durableoutsole, and a zipper. In one embodiment, the zipper can be awater-resistant or waterproof zipper. The upper compartment can beconfigured for receiving high-heeled footwear and can be made from astretchable water-resistant material. The forefoot region is configuredfor receiving the forefoot of the high-heeled footwear and the heelregion is configured for receiving the high-heel of the high-heeledshoe. The heel region includes an integrated support structure therein.The flexible and durable outsole includes a first outsole connected tothe forefoot region and a second outsole connected to the heel regionand the zipper can be disposed within the upper compartment.

In yet another embodiment, an overshoe for high-heeled footwear isprovided that includes an upper compartment, a first outsole, a secondoutsole, and a zipper. The upper compartment can include a leg shaftopening configured to receive a leg of a subject and enclose thesubject's leg; a forefoot region having a front or toe, a bottom, a topand an arch; and a heel region disposed opposite the leg shaft opening.The heel region can have a bottom and a cylindrical shaft with asemi-rigid support structure in the heeled region. The first outsole canbe connected to the bottom of the forefoot region and the second outsolecan be connected to the bottom of the heel region. The zipper can belocated in the upper compartment and can run from the heel region to thetop of the leg-shaft opening.

The upper compartment of the overshoes of the present invention can bemade from a variety of natural and/or manmade materials. In someembodiments, it can be desirable to make the upper compartment frommaterials that are water-resistant or waterproof in order to provide thebest protection for the user of the overshoe. Non-limiting examples ofmaterials from which the upper compartment can be made include wovenfabrics, non-woven fabrics, thermoplastic resins, laminated fabrics,leather, or combinations thereof.

The forefoot region of the upper compartment can be configured into avariety of designs or styles depending on the type of footwear intendedto be used with the overshoe. For example, in one aspect, the forefootregion can configured as a rounded forefoot region for receivinground-toed footwear. Examples of round-toe overshoes are shown in FIGS.20-28. In another aspect, the forefoot region can be configured as apointed forefoot region for receiving pointed-toed footwear. Embodimentsof pointed-toe overshoes are shown in FIGS. 1-19. Other toeconfigurations can also be included such as a square-toed region forreceiving square-toed footwear.

The arch of the upper compartment of the overshoes of the presentinvention is generally disposed between the outsole of the forefootregion and the heel region and generally follows the arch of the type offootwear with which it is configured to be used. Thus, for example, anovershoe that is designed for use with a one to three inch heeled-shoe(inner shoe) can have an arch that rises from the bottom of the forefootregion of the upper compartment and connects at with the top of theheeled region of the overshoe. In addition to the stylish look of theelevated arch of the overshoe, the rising of the arch along the lines ofthe inner shoe can also function to reduce the amount of water or othermoisture that contacts and penetrates the arch region of the overshoe.The rising arch can also provide a more snug or tailored fit of theovershoe to footwear. This tailored fit can enhance the stability of theovershoe for the wearer and help prevent slipping or other accidents. Insome embodiments, the outsole connected to the forefoot region of theupper compartment can continue up along at least a portion of the arch.The inclusion of the outsole along at least a portion of the arch canhelp to provide additional support for the overshoe as well as enhancedprotection from the elements.

The overshoes of the present invention can include at least one outsoleon the bottom of the overshoe. One outsole can be disposed on theforefoot region of the upper compartment. A second outsole can bedisposed on the bottom of the heel region of the overshoe. In oneembodiment, the first outsole and the second outsole can be independentof (not connected) of each other. Each of the outsoles of the overshoecan be independently made from any material that can provide good weardurability as well as good flexibility. In one embodiment, the outsolecan have good wear properties and can be substantially pliable when bentor flexed. The flexibility and pliability of the outsole material canallow the outsole to be folded for ease of storage of the overshoe insmall volume spaces. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be usedfor the outsole include rubber, polyurethane, thermoplastic resin, andcombinations thereof. Other materials that are known to be used for theoutsole of footwear may also be used.

The heel region of the overshoe of the present invention can be made toaccommodate footwear having various heel heights and styles. In oneembodiment, the heel region can include a shaft, such as a substantiallycylindrical shaft, that is oriented substantially vertically and on anaxis that is substantially perpendicular to the outsole. The shaft maybe rectangular, cylindrical, pyramidal, trapezoidal, or othergeometrical configuration that can accommodate various types ofhigh-heeled footwear. In one embodiment, the shaft of the heel regioncan have a length of less than about 1 inch. In another embodiment, theshaft of the heel region can have a length of at least about 1 inch. Inyet another embodiment, the shaft of the heel region can have a lengthof at least about 1½ inches.

The heel-region of the overshoe of the present invention can include anintegrated support structure. The role of the integrated supportstructure facilitates placement of the high-heel portion of the footwearinto the overshoe and on to the outsole attached to the heel-region. Theintegrated support structure helps inhibit the high-heel of the footwearfrom treading on the side wall heel-region of the overshoe. Theintegrated support structure can be a semi-rigid support structurehaving adequate structural integrity to maintain the general shape ofthe heel-region shaft and which is adequately pliable to be folded,bent, or compressed when the overshoe is stored. In some embodiments theoutsole on the bottom of the heel-region can have a greater diameterthan the diameter of the integrated support structure. This can helpassure that the high heel of the high-heeled footwear treads on theoutsole and not on the wall of the shaft of the heel region.

The integrated support structure can have a variety of heights dependingon the height of the heel of the overshoe and the type of thehigh-heeled footwear for which the overshoe is intended. In oneembodiment, the integrated support structure can have a length of atleast about ½ inch. In another embodiment, the integrated supportstructure can have a length of at least about 1 inch. In yet a furtherembodiment, the ratio of the length of the semi-rigid support structureto the length of the cylindrical shaft can be about 0.4:1 to about 1:1.FIG. 3 includes a cutaway view of one embodiment of a shaft 8 of theheel region of an overshoe of the present invention. The outsole 12connected to the bottom of the heel region is shown and an example ofthe integrated support structure 16 is shown. The integrated supportstructure can be completely integrated into or enclosed by the materialsof the heel region of the overshoe or the support structure can beintegrated by simple insertion of the support structure into the heelregion. In some embodiments the integrated support structure can beadhered or mechanically maintained in place in the heel region of theovershoe. For example, in one embodiment, the interior of the heelregion can include a soft non-abrasive material which lines the interiorof the heel region and which can function to retain the integratedsupport structure in its place and prevent scratching of the high-heelof the footwear inserted into the overshoe. In another embodiment, theintegrated support structure can be removed from the heel region of theovershoe.

FIG. 1 shows an example of one embodiment of the present invention. Theovershoe includes an upper compartment 4 with a toe 2, an arch 14, andan outsole 10 on the bottom of the forefoot region of the uppercompartment and extending up a portion of the arch. The overshoeincludes a zipper 6 disposed along the back of the overshoe which canextend from the leg shaft opening 18 down toward the heel region of theovershoe. The heel region 16 includes a cylindrical shaft 8 and anoutsole 12 adhered to the bottom of the heel region 12. FIG. 2 shows abottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows an example of one embodiment of the present invention. Theovershoe includes an upper compartment 74 with a toe 72, an arch 84, andan outsole 70 on the bottom of the forefoot region of the uppercompartment and extending up a portion of the arch. The overshoeincludes a zipper 76 disposed along the back of the overshoe which canextend from the leg shaft opening 76 down toward the heel region of theovershoe. The heel region 80 includes a cylindrical shaft and an outsole82 adhered to the bottom of the heel region. FIG. 12 shows a bottom viewof the overshoe of FIG. 11.

FIG. 20 shows an example of one embodiment of the present invention. Theovershoe includes an upper compartment 22 with a toe 20, an arch 32, andan outsole 34 on the bottom of the forefoot region of the uppercompartment. The overshoe includes a zipper 26 disposed along the backof the overshoe which can extend from the leg shaft opening 24 downtoward the heel region of the overshoe. The heel region 28 includes acylindrical shaft and an outsole 30 adhered to the bottom of the heelregion. FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 20.

FIG. 29 shows an example of one embodiment of the present invention. Theovershoe includes an upper compartment 52 with a toe 50, an arch 59, andan outsole 60 on the bottom of the forefoot region of the uppercompartment and extending up a portion of the arch. The overshoeincludes a zipper 56 disposed along the back of the overshoe which canextend from the leg shaft opening 54 down toward the heel region of theovershoe. The heel region has an outsole 58 adhered thereto. FIG. 30shows a bottom view of the overshoe of FIG. 29.

FIG. 37 shows a cutaway side view of an embodiment similar to theembodiment shown in FIG. 20. The embodiment includes an uppercompartment 93, an arch 97, and an outsole 96 on the bottom of theforefoot region of the upper compartment. The embodiment furtherincludes a leg shaft opening 92 through which the shoe 94 and leg (notshown) of a user can be inserted. A zipper 90 runs from the top of theupper compartment along the back of the overshoe from the leg shaftopening to the heel-region 99. The heel region 99 is enclosed by thesame material 82 as the upper compartment and includes an outsole 98adhered to its bottom area. FIG. 38 shows an exploded cutaway view ofthe heel-region 99 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 37. The heel of theshoe 80 is shown substantially centered on the outsole 98 of theheel-region. The integrated support 86 of the heel-region is shown andfunctions to facilitate placement of the heel of the show on the outsolearea of the overshoe. An optional additional soft protective inner layer84 can be disposed on the interior of the heel-region to protect thehigh-heel of the shoe from becoming scuffed.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

1. An overshoe for a high-heeled shoe, comprising, an upper compartmentfor receiving the high-heeled shoe, said upper compartment being madefrom a stretchable water-resistant material; a forefoot region forreceiving the forefoot of the high-heeled shoe; a heel region forreceiving the heel of the high-heeled shoe, said heeled region having anintegrated support structure therein; a flexible and durable outsoleincluding a first outsole connected to the forefoot region and a secondoutsole connected to the heel region; and a zipper disposed within theupper compartment.
 2. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the integratedsupport structure is semi-rigid and extends along an axis perpendicularto the outsole.
 3. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein the integratedsupport structure is a semi-rigid cylindrical shaft.
 4. The overshoe ofclaim 1, wherein the second outsole has a diameter that is greater thanthat of the integrated support structure.
 5. The women's overshoe ofclaim 1, wherein the integrated support structure has a length of atleast about ½ inch.
 6. The women's overshoe of claim 1, wherein theintegrated support structure has a length of at least about 1 inch. 7.The women's overshoe of claim 1, wherein the upper compartment is madefrom a material selected from the group consisting of a woven fabric, anon-woven fabric, a thermoplastic resin, laminated fabric, orcombinations thereof.
 8. The women's overshoe of claim 1, wherein thezipper is a water resistant zipper.
 9. The women's overshoe of claim 1,wherein the first outsole and the second outsole are independently madefrom materials selected from the group consisting of rubber,polyurethane, thermoplastic resin, and combinations thereof.
 10. Thewomen's overshoe of claim 1, wherein the first outsole and the secondoutsole are not connected to each other.
 11. The women's overshoe ofclaim 1, wherein the overshoe can be folded for easy storage.
 12. Anovershoe for a high-heeled shoe, comprising: an upper compartment havinga leg shaft opening configured to receive a leg of a subject and enclosethe subject's leg at or above the ankle; a forefoot region, saidforefoot region including a front or toe, a bottom, a top and, an arch;and a heel region disposed opposite the leg shaft opening, said heelregion having a bottom and a cylindrical shaft with a semi-rigid supportstructure disposed therein; a first outsole, said first outsole beingconnected to a bottom of the forefoot region; a second outsole, saidsecond outsole being connected to a bottom of the heel region; and azipper, said zipper being disposed in the upper compartment and runningfrom the heel region to the leg-shaft opening.
 13. The women's overshoeof claim 12, wherein the cylindrical shaft of the heel region has alength of less than 1 inch.
 14. The women's overshoe of claim 13,wherein the semi-rigid support structure has a length of at least about½ inch.
 15. The women's overshoe of claim 12, wherein the cylindricalshaft of the heel region has a length of at least 1½ inches.
 16. Thewomen's overshoe of claim 15, wherein the semi-rigid support structurehas a length of at least about 1 inch.
 17. The women's overshoe of claim12, wherein the ratio of the length of the semi-rigid support structureto the length of the cylindrical shaft is about 0.4:1 to about 1:1. 18.The women's overshoe of claim 12, wherein the upper compartment is madefrom a material selected from the group consisting of a stretchablewoven fabric, leather, a non-woven non-stretchable fabric, athermoplastic resin, laminated fabric, and combinations thereof.
 19. Thewomen's overshoe of claim 12, wherein the upper compartment iswater-resistant.
 20. The women's overshoe of claim 12, wherein the uppercompartment is water-proof.
 21. The women's overshoe of claim 12,wherein the first outsole is connected to and covers the bottom of theforefoot region and at least a portion of the arch.
 22. The women'sovershoe of claim 12, wherein the zipper is a water-resistant zipper.23. The women's overshoe of claim 12, wherein the first outsole and thesecond outsole are independently made from materials selected from thegroup consisting of rubber, polyurethane, or thermoplastic resin, orcombinations thereof.
 24. The women's overshoe of claim 12, wherein thefirst outsole and second outsole have good wear properties when and aresubstantially pliable when bent or flexed.
 25. The women's overshoe ofclaim 12, wherein the first outsole and the second outsole are notconnected to each other.
 26. The women's overshoe of claim 12, whereinthe overshoe can be folded for easy storage.